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Matthews Middle School

Q: Is Matthews Middle School a good school?

Matthews Middle School ranks 682 nd of 1126 Illinois middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

682^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,126 Illinois Middle Schools

Better than 39% of Illinois middle schools

Summary

Matthews Middle School in Island Lake, Illinois, serves 451 students in grades 6–8 and is one of 11 schools in the nearby-school comparison. The clearest concern is that achievement in math and ELA is low overall, with especially weak ELA results in sixth and seventh grades.

In 2025–2026, 29% of students were proficient in math, compared with 40% statewide and 42% in the district; ELA proficiency was 54%, versus 56% statewide and 59% in the district. Among six nearby schools serving grades 6–8, Matthews had the lowest results in both subjects: the other five averaged 45% in math and 69% in ELA. Eighth-grade science is a counterpoint: 66% were proficient, above the state’s 52%, the district’s 62%, and the nearby-school average of 62%. ELA varies considerably by grade: eighth grade matched the state at 63%, while sixth grade was 46% and seventh grade 53%. Math remained around 29%–30% across all three grades, below state and district results.

Scores have risen since 2023–2024—ELA by 11 points to 54% and math by 8 points to 29%—but Matthews remains below the state in both; the math gap widened over the full period, from 7 points to 10. SchoolDigger placed the school at the 39th percentile statewide with 2 stars in 2025–2026, down from the 55th percentile in 2023–2024. Its 2024–2025 student-teacher ratio was 11.4, among the lower ratios nearby; 44% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible that year. SchoolDigger’s statewide ranking was higher for Special Education Students, at the 57th percentile versus 39th overall. For Male Students, it fell from the 62nd percentile in 2023–2024 to the 31st in 2025–2026. These are school rankings for groups, not measures of individual students.

451

Students ?

11.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$20,413

Per pupil spending ?

43.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

93.6%

Measles protection (all grades) (2025-26)

3500 Darrell Rd.
Island Lake, IL 60042

(847) 526-6210

District: Wauconda CUSD 118

Students who attend Matthews Middle School usually attend:

High:

Wauconda High School

Feeder schools for Matthews Middle School:

Elementary:

Cotton Creek School

Racial breakdown:

White:

54.3%

Hispanic:

36.1%

Two or more races:

3.8%

See top rated Illinois middle schools

Compare Matthews Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 74th percentile in 2016 → 39th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 35 percentile points since 2016

!Mathematics scores 10 pts below the Illinois average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg54%

Illinois avg49%

682^nd of 1,126

Illinois public middle schools ?

Bottom 39%▼ down 34 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to bottom 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Illinois Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Middle Schools in the Wauconda CUSD 118

385^th of 738Wauconda CUSD 118 among Illinois districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	38.2	682 of 1126	39.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	45.8	682 of 1368	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.9	613 of 1363	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.7	613 of 1367	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.9	581 of 1369	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.4	579 of 1241	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	69.8	353 of 1356	74.0%	★★★★☆
2018	69.6	336 of 1293	74.0%	★★★★☆
2017	73.7	282 of 1293	78.2%	★★★★☆
2016	68.0	341 of 1294	73.6%	★★★★☆
2015	66.9	336 of 1302	74.2%	★★★★☆
2014	75.1	294 of 1322	77.8%	★★★★☆
2013	74.9	309 of 1367	77.4%	★★★★☆
2012	77.9	253 of 1365	81.5%	★★★★☆
2011	73.0	353 of 1344	73.7%	★★★★☆
2010	77.5	260 of 1327	80.4%	★★★★☆
2009	75.9	291 of 1318	77.9%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	38.0	379 of 694	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.1	372 of 639	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	32.5	446 of 674	33.8%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2025	41.9	257 of 483	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.7	283 of 486	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.4	391 of 480	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	44.8	199 of 454	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.1	163 of 277	41.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	33.7	586 of 867	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	39.3	724 of 1248	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.1	697 of 1251	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.4	649 of 1275	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	50.8	534 of 1286	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	40.3	555 of 1017	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	68.6	344 of 1276	73.0%	★★★★☆
2018	69.6	323 of 1226	73.7%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	30.9	331 of 483	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	29.9	462 of 669	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.4	418 of 643	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.4	442 of 661	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.8	390 of 662	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.1	354 of 517	31.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	58.8	212 of 639	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.5	206 of 590	65.1%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	38.6	487 of 788	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.4	661 of 1229	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	55.5	440 of 1219	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	54.1	469 of 1234	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.3	511 of 1221	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.6	510 of 1019	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	75.3	188 of 1217	84.6%	★★★★☆
2018	77.4	159 of 1161	86.3%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	30.6	572 of 829	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.4	568 of 1271	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.8	480 of 1264	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.1	532 of 1292	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.4	545 of 1286	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.3	494 of 1048	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	69.1	328 of 1296	74.7%	★★★★☆
2018	67.7	323 of 1223	73.6%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2019	57.7	3 of 8	62.5%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	51.4	104 of 244	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.8	230 of 812	71.7%	★★★★☆
2024	41.3	389 of 802	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	41.6	379 of 805	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	33.1	526 of 781	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	33.2	359 of 548	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	55.0	211 of 792	73.4%	★★★★☆
2018	65.5	115 of 602	80.9%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Illinois percentile	Rating
2026	29.4	557 of 754	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	36.3	584 of 884	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.5	550 of 875	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	42.8	494 of 895	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	43.0	492 of 898	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	35.9	502 of 813	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.5	367 of 905	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.4	353 of 889	60.3%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Military Connected (2019)62nd percentile-11 vs school

Special Education (2026)57th percentile+18 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)47th percentile-3 vs school

Disabled (2025)45th percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)38th percentile~ school

Female (2026)32nd percentile-7 vs school

Hispanic (2026)31st percentile-8 vs school

Male (2026)31st percentile-8 vs school

White (2026)26th percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Illinois (2025-2026) ?

Science66%+14 vs state

English Language Arts54%-3 vs state

Mathematics29%-10 vs state

★

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Schools Near Matthews Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ISA Science (2026)		IAR English Language Arts (2026)					IAR Mathematics (2026)					Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2026)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ISA Science 5th Grade	ISA Science 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 5th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 6th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 7th Grade	IAR English Language Arts 8th Grade	IAR English Language Arts All Grades	IAR Mathematics 5th Grade	IAR Mathematics 6th Grade	IAR Mathematics 7th Grade	IAR Mathematics 8th Grade	IAR Mathematics All Grades	Vaccination: Measles protection (all grades)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Matthews Middle School	Public	6-8	3500 Darrell Rd.	Island Lake	60042	Lake County	Wauconda CUSD 118	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 526-6210	451	39	11.4	43.7%	245 (54.3%)	8 (1.8%)	163 (36.1%)	16 (3.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.8%)	38.2	682^nd of 1126 public middle schools	39.4%		45.8	682^nd of 1368 public middle schools	50.1%			66.4		46.4	53.0	63.1	53.7		29.1	28.9	29.6	29.2	93.6%		$20,413	$259	$20,155
Wauconda Middle School	Public	6-8	217 Slocum Lake Rd	Wauconda	60084	Lake County	Wauconda CUSD 118	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 526-2122	506	42	11.9	33.2%	330 (65.2%)	6 (1.2%)	142 (28.1%)	16 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.4%)	47.7	557^th of 1126 public middle schools	50.5%		64	438^th of 1368 public middle schools	68.0%	119		58.3		57.8	65.0	51.2	57.9		39.3	44.6	34.9	39.5	96.7%		$20,853	$259	$20,595
Prairie Grove Junior High School	Public	5-8	3225 IL Route 176	Crystal Lake	60014	McHenry County	Prairie Grove Central School District 46	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(815) 459-3557	357	33	10.7	22.7%	286 (80.1%)	7 (2.0%)	40 (11.2%)	16 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	7 (2.0%)	67	328^th of 1126 public middle schools	70.9%		67.5	398^th of 1368 public middle schools	70.9%	70	56.6	77.5	57.6	73.8	63.3	77.5	67.7	46.5	45.9	37.8	48.3	44.6	96.2%		$19,618	$239	$19,379
Cary Junior High School	Public	6-8	2109 Crystal Lake Rd	Cary	60013	McHenry County	Cary CCSD 26	No	(n/a)	No	No	(224) 357-5150	761	61	12.4	28.5%	532 (69.9%)	3 (0.4%)	179 (23.5%)	12 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (4.5%)	48.5	548^th of 1126 public middle schools	51.3%		65.1	424^th of 1368 public middle schools	69.0%	124		56.9		64.5	63.2	59.2	62.4		45.4	39.7	23.8	37.0	98.5%		$13,987	$194	$13,793
Big Hollow Middle School	Public	5-8	26051 W Nippersink Rd	Ingleside	60041	Lake County	Big Hollow School District 38	No	(n/a)	No	No	(847) 740-5322	744	54	13.7	32.5%	379 (50.9%)	48 (6.5%)	242 (32.5%)	30 (4.0%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	40 (5.4%)	52	501^st of 1126 public middle schools	55.5%		64.1	436^th of 1368 public middle schools	68.1%	65	50.3	72.3	55.9	63.9	55.6	84.3	65.4	37.9	25.6	29.8	37.2	32.7	97.8%		$15,103	$233	$14,870
Fremont Junior High/Middle School	Public	6-8	28871 N Fremont Center Rd	Mundelein	60060	Lake County	Fremont School District 79	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 566-9384	692	49	14.0	—	459 (66.3%)	19 (2.7%)	117 (16.9%)	70 (10.1%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.7%)	21 (3.0%)	76.3	222^nd of 1126 public middle schools	80.3%		84.3	189^th of 1368 public middle schools	86.2%	33		78.2		74.3	78.4	80.7	77.8		50.5	49.3	49.1	49.6	98.4%		$16,348	$126	$16,222
Park West School	Public	5-8	400 W Townline Rd	Round Lake	60073	Lake County	Grayslake CCSD 46	No	(n/a)	No	No	(847) 201-7010	321	26	12.3	27.7%	147 (45.8%)	31 (9.7%)	82 (25.5%)	41 (12.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.9%)	68.1	317^th of 1126 public middle schools	71.8%		70.5	354^th of 1368 public middle schools	74.1%	37	65.1	72.3	81.0	73.2	71.6	65.7	72.7	28.6	48.8	59.5	35.8	44.1	98%		$28,518	$361	$28,157
McHenry Middle School	Public	6-8	2120 W Lincoln Rd	McHenry	60051	McHenry County	McHenry CCSD 15	No	(n/a)	No	No	(779) 244-1600	695	59	11.7	40.6%	502 (72.2%)	5 (0.7%)	163 (23.5%)	6 (0.9%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.4%)	42.7	624^th of 1126 public middle schools	44.6%		51.7	598^th of 1368 public middle schools	56.3%	26		55.8		61.3	68.6	57.4	62.5		34.4	34.1	20.4	29.7	96.7%		$18,878	$501	$18,377
Lake Zurich Middle - N Campus	Public	6-8	95 Hubbard Ln	Hawthorn Woods	60047	Lake County	Lake Zurich CUSD 95	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(847) 719-3600	697	55	12.6	23.4%	487 (69.9%)	18 (2.6%)	71 (10.2%)	88 (12.6%)	9 (1.3%)	3 (0.4%)	21 (3.0%)	88	97^th of 1126 public middle schools	91.4%		91.6	96^th of 1368 public middle schools	93.0%	1		72.4		85.5	82.4	82.1	83.3		68.5	71.1	57.8	66.0	98.2%		$19,344	$158	$19,185
Fox River Grove Middle School	Public	5-8	401 Orchard St	Fox River Grove	60021	McHenry County	Fox River Grove Cons School District 3	No	(n/a)	No	No	(847) 516-5105	174	16	11.2	20.7%	136 (78.2%)	1 (0.6%)	27 (15.5%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.6%)	40	652^nd of 1126 public middle schools	42.1%		57.8	514^th of 1368 public middle schools	62.4%	138	48.9	21.3	84.8	82.9	63.0	35.4	65.7	21.7	46.3	28.3		28.2	98.9%		$21,465	$406	$21,059

Frequently Asked Questions about Matthews Middle School

How many students attend Matthews Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 451 students attended Matthews Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Matthews Middle School?

Students at Matthews Middle School are 54% White, 36% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 4% Asian, 2% African American.

What district is Matthews Middle School in?

Wauconda CUSD 118

What high school do graduates of Matthews Middle School attend?

Students who attend Matthews Middle School usually go on to attend Wauconda High School

Is Matthews Middle School a good school?

Matthews Middle School ranks 682^nd of 1126 Illinois middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Matthews Middle School!

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ILIllinois Middle School Rankings

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Schools in Island Lake, IL

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Latest Illinois data All new data »

2025–26 school spending dataOct 30, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 30, 2026

2025–26 ACT, IAR, ISA & PreACT Secure test scoresOct 30, 2026

2013–14 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.